The joint venture of Sacyr, Wills Bros Ltd and Somague pleaded guilty to one offence of water pollution at L'Derry Magistrates Court yesterday, 18 May.
The court heard that between 20 June 2019 and 09 November 2020, NIEA Water Quality Inspectors investigated 14 separate incidents of water pollution affecting a number of tributaries of the River Faughan and River Roe.
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These incidents occurred during the construction phase of the new A6 dual carriageway between Dungiven and Drumahoe.
The River Faughan and River Roe are important salmonid catchment areas and designated as Special Areas of Conservation for the North Atlantic Salmon.
During a number of the pollution response investigations, inspectors found high concentrations of suspended solids discharged to the waterways which impacted up to 8km of the River Faughan and River Roe catchment areas.
The court heard that such concentrations can have an abrasive effect upon the gills of fish, making them susceptible to infection and can also interfere with their respiration. In addition, suspended solids can settle out in the watercourse and interfere with feeding and breeding habitats.
